Wang Zhong stood on the stage, hands crossed over his chest. With Zhang Shuai's miserable defeat as a backdrop, he was at the peak of his spirit, exuding an imposing presence. He displayed the arrogant demeanor of a young prodigy to its fullest. Amidst the shock and amazement of the crowd, Wang Zhong's expression remained incredibly calm. Zhang Shuai was just a minor interlude; his true opponent was Lu Xiaoshuang, who had been watching all of this from below the stage.
"Xiaoshuang, this Wang Zhong's strength seems fundamentally different from students of the same age!" Dian Hao said, his face extremely solemn as he looked at Wang Zhong's figure. His terrifying movement speed almost matched his own, which was enhanced by the Piercing Wind Sickle spirit. He was currently a Soul Sect, and his spirit was also a top-tier equipment spirit. And Wang Zhong, what was he? A mere Soul Master of level ten-something, with a plant-type tree spirit. Without any enhancements, he had reached Dian Hao's level. This couldn't help but make Dian Hao take notice.
"Someone favored by the Pope naturally has extraordinary qualities," Lu Xiaoshuang replied. "I'm not surprised he has such strength. It's just that now I'm worried, if I go on stage, how much of his strength will he still be able to show."
"Even though this battle is unfair, I still want to fight him at his full strength."
"This is my last bit of pride!" Lu Xiaoshuang clenched his fists, his calm tone carrying a subtle tremor. If he could, he wouldn't challenge Wang Zhong, but he only earned three hundred thousand gold soul coins a month. This was a mere drop in the bucket for building a new orphanage. Even if the orphanage was successfully established, the subsequent financial needs would be endless. However, challenging the fourth-year students was beyond his capability, not just in strength but also in spirit.
There were five students in the fourth year, all control-type, and each followed a different path of control. But no matter what kind of control, it was not something he could resist at his current level. Unless he could obtain a fifth spirit ring! But by then, it would be too late! Yes, all five in the fourth year followed a spiritual control path. This was simply despair for Lu Xiaoshuang!
Although Yu Feixue, Rou Yuzhu, Dian Hao, and the other three had said they could help him, and would contribute a portion of their monthly gold soul coins to support him, he refused. It wasn't out of pride, but because he couldn't let his companions delay their cultivation progress because of his affairs. When soul masters are young, every bit of resource and time is extremely precious and cannot be wasted at all.
But Lu Xiaoshuang soon had no time to think about these matters, because Wang Zhong on the stage was getting impatient. So, standing on the stage, under everyone's gaze, Wang Zhong actually extended his index finger towards the third-year direction and beckoned! This action ignited a tempestuous wave throughout the entire plaza.
"Hey, that first-year kid, what is he doing!"
"He's provoking the third-year students! And the top-ranked ones at that!"
"Is he looking for death!!!"
"Does this kid think that just because he beat a second-year student, he can also beat a third-year student? The difference in strength between them is not at the same level!"
"I heard that the top four in the third year are all Soul Sects above level forty. How dare he!"
The plaza instantly erupted, and everyone condemned Wang Zhong's arrogance and sheer audacity.
"Xiaoshuang, he's inviting you up." Rou Yuzhu and Yu Feixue, for some reason, had very strange expressions on their faces, a look of suppressed laughter. You were hesitant and indecisive below, while he was on the stage, full of spirit and fearless. The contrast between the two was almost reversed. It was as if Wang Zhong was the level forty Soul Sect, and Lu Xiaoshuang had become the little Soul Master. These two bizarre facts made Rou Yuzhu and Yu Feixue struggle to contain their laughter.
"Hoo." Lu Xiaoshuang exhaled heavily. He had to admit that, as the one being challenged, Wang Zhong was more decisive and courageous than he was! But at the same time, he also felt a surge of anger from being underestimated.
Step by step, Lu Xiaoshuang walked onto the stage and stood opposite Wang Zhong. Then, placing his right hand on his chest, he bowed towards Bibi Dong's position and said loudly, "Third-year Class A, ranked fourth in the ranking battles, Lu Xiaoshuang!"
"In this Grand Competition, I challenge the Chief of First-year Class A, Wang Zhong, to a High-Pressure Low-Level Challenge!"
"May His Holiness the Pope grant this! May Elder Ju Douluo, Elder Gui Douluo, and all teachers and students bear witness!" His voice was deep, steady, and powerful, without any trace of guilt or the smugness of bullying the weak. Since he had stepped onto the stage, there was no turning back.
Compared to Wang Zhong's previous behavior of pointing fingers and demanding to fight Zhang Shuai as soon as he got on stage, Lu Xiaoshuang was much more polite and orderly this time. Hearing this, Wang Zhong subconsciously covered his face. His previous actions were so embarrassing!
On the high platform, Bibi Dong's red lips curved slightly, and a smile bloomed in her bright wine-red eyes. The two Douluo, Ju and Gui, by her side, also couldn't help but chuckle. After a while, Bibi Dong's majestic voice could be heard.
"Granted!"
This word again made a large portion of the crowd in the plaza drop their jaws in disbelief.
"It wasn't Wang Zhong who provoked Lu Xiaoshuang, but Lu Xiaoshuang who initiated a High-Pressure Low-Level Challenge!"
"This is too bizarre! What is he after?"
"Idiot, Wang Zhong's victory in an upper-level challenge yields ten times the resources! He's already a Class A student, and now, as a first-year, he has a monthly usage right of one million gold soul coins!"
"Lu Xiaoshuang only has three hundred thousand. If it were you, wouldn't you be tempted!"
"One million!!!! Oh my heavens, how many resources is that? That money could even buy a spirit bone!"
"Who are you calling an idiot!"
The clamor rose and fell, escalating until it almost turned into a boisterous and red-faced argument, with some nearly coming to blows.
"Before the Pope, how dare you be so disrespectful!" Gui Mei's somber and hoarse voice, propelled by his powerful soul force, swept across the entire plaza. Soon, the arguments abruptly disappeared, and everyone sat down obediently, their eyes focused forward, their noses aligned with their navels, looking like paragons of discipline.
"Alright, your match can begin." Seeing that the plaza had quieted down again, Gui Mei nodded with satisfaction and said calmly to Lu Xiaoshuang, who was still standing in the center of the arena, bowing to the Pope and the two elders.
"Thank you, Your Holiness the Pope, for your grace!" Lu Xiaoshuang slightly bent his waist in a respectful bow before turning to face Wang Zhong.
At this moment, Wang Zhong, from somewhere, took out a small notebook and a pen, and diligently took notes. "A High-Pressure Low-Level Challenge, or an Underdog Challenge, requires prior consent from the Pope and the two elders, and can only begin with the witness of all teachers and students."
"During this process, one must maintain proper demeanor and respect." After scribbling for a bit, Wang Zhong put the notebook back into his portable soul guiding device and tilted his head to look at Lu Xiaoshuang. He had a smile on his face.
"Senior Lu Xiaoshuang, please give me your guidance!"